You’ve definitely noticed that a lot of the apparel being sold in stores (like Target) is basically from the ’90s and Y2K period if you’ve been shopping for clothes recently, or even in the previous few of years.
Moreover, it’s possible that you visited TikTok and saw videos of Gen Zers searching thrift shops for real “vintage” ’90s and early ’00s apparel. It goes without saying that if you were a millennial and attended middle school or high school wearing that attire, you are undoubtedly wondering the following three questions: 1.) Why is that becoming fashionable again? 2.) Am I really that old? and 3.) Even if I worn some of the designs when they were brand-new, could I wear them again?
Fortunately, we know the answer: the 20-year rule. The 1990s and early 2000s were well inside the 20-year fashion and trend cycle, meaning that Gen Zers never got to experience those patterns. Indeed, we are ageing! Nowadays, the majority of millennials are in their early forties or thirties. Finally, it’s safe to say that, in contrast to our parents’ generation, millennials don’t feel “old” or out of touch with pop culture. As a result, it’s likely that we’ll incorporate some Y2K-style into our wardrobe, albeit with our own updated twist so it doesn’t feel like we’re trying to dress like young twentysomethings.
Jessica Bennett, a contributing opinion editor for the New York Times, recently posted a very insightful TikTok titled “I Refuse the Graceful Slide Into Cultural Irrelevance” to the New York Times Opinion channel. The video is based on an article she wrote for the paper back in August with the same title, which I highly recommend you read.
[@nytopinion]
A middle-aged millennial journalism professor at New York University named Jessica Bennett happened to be in the same pub as one of her students lately. She said that she had gone there since it was in her neighbourhood and that the sole wine served there was natural, making it “better for old-person hangovers.” The reason the student went was that she had seen the pub on TikTok. “We were wondering what that said about each other, exactly, there in the same place—did it make me lame and she cool, or the other way around?” says Jessica. In fact, Jessica has been thinking a lot lately about her coolness due to her age. She is starting to see how much of her professional identity has been based on coolness, which may cause her to fear. Should growing older result in a permanent loss of cultural significance if one hasn’t completely given up? Naturally, I don’t want to lose my composure,” Jessica replies. “I know too much about how our culture continues to valorize youth, especially for women, and what happens to people’s relevance as they age.” Jessica has made the decision to work on her coolness, like to a profession. “What used to come naturally to cool now needs work.” I see it more like upkeep, like to a regular skin care regimen, rather than attachment. #elderlymillennial #millennials vs. Gen Z #nytopinion
♬ authentic audio – New York Times Views
As a self-described “geriatric millennial,” Jessica begins by noting that she has observed young people dressing in a same manner as her own. Jessica notes that she is just dressed like herself, and in the TikTok, she was really sporting a vintage T-shirt from the ’90s that she has had ever since.
She continues by saying that seeing young people dressed similarly to her had turned into something that had “gotten” inside of her, leading her to believe that perhaps she was “trying too hard to still be cool” or holding onto her youth.
Jessica goes on to say that dealing with ageing is a challenge that faces all generations. However, she makes the point that growing older for earlier generations meant making the “trade-off” of being “uncool,” which was often having a secure career, children, retirement, and a home. However, compared to, say, boomers, not many millennials possess that.
And Jessica questioned where millennials stand in this cultural power shift as an increasing number of Gen Zers reach adulthood and set the standards for what’s fashionable and hip. Are we now “the old guys” and “the ones trying too hard,” she queries. But Jessica claims that in the end, she made a decision about what she wanted for herself: she wants to be current (in part because her profession requires that she be knowledgeable), she wants to put in more effort in it, and she doesn’t want to disappear “into cultural irrelevance.”
Many individuals expressed their opinions about Jessica’s attitude of dressing as she pleases, regardless of whether it appears like she is attempting to look young:
Others who sympathised with Jessica’s resolve to keep up with pop culture trends and happenings included:
Alright, let me share my thoughts on this: Jessica is right, I think. Millennials are undeniably the first generation to have grown up with the internet at their disposal, having grown up with dial-up, AIM, and Myspace as well as smartphones, Instagram, TikTok, and TikTok. Since our generation has always been one that likes to adjust to new things, I believe that trait has been engrained in us and drives our need to stay current. Therefore, unlike other generations, I think we will likely resist withering “into cultural irrelevance” as a generation.
